Lidea Feed

In IWL 2, Indian Arrows Women Juniors lose to Roots FC by a slim margin

Arpita Kushwaha April 07, 2025 07:27 PM

At the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence Phase 2, Indian Arrows Women Juniors lost 0-1 to Group B hosts Roots FC on Monday, their first defeat in the 2024–25 Indian Women’s League 2. In the 12th minute, Maibam Nandeshwori Devi scored the game-winning goal.

With six points after two games, Roots became the clear leader in Group B. After defeating Pudhuvai Unicorns and Inter Kashi in their first two games, Indian Arrows Women Juniors are now in second position.

The final round will be reached by the top two teams in the five-team group. When Indian Arrows Women Juniors play Casa Barwani SC in their last game on April 9 at 9:00, they will be looking to guarantee their spot in the final round. The Indian Football YouTube Channel will broadcast the game live.

Once again, head coach Joakim Alexandersson made only one alteration to the starting lineup from the previous game, substituting striker Valaina Fernandes for winger Rupashree Munda.

In the 12th minute, Roots scored a well-executed team goal to take the lead. Nandeshwori Devi scored the opening goal after winger Rosy Thanga raced down the left side and sent a low ball into the six-yard box.

In terms of defense, the local team was just as strong, frustrating Indian Arrows with a compact backline that prevented any advances into the midfield. For the remainder of the game, Alexandersson’s girls controlled the ball in an attempt to tie the score, but they were unable to cause any trouble for goalie Sonakshi Singh.

Early in the second half, the Roots goalkeeper produced one noteworthy stop, blocking Julan Nongmaithem’s shot with an extended hand. Desperation increased in the Arrows camp as the clock ran down, so the Swedish coach made aggressive substitutions, bringing in players like Gurnaz Kaur, Rupashree Munda, and Tonamabam Taniya Devi.

From eighteen yards out, Valaina almost found the net with an instinctive half-volley that just missed the bar. A 35-yard free-kick effort by Viksit Bara, who scored from the center circle in the last game, came close to missing the mark.